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Premier of China between 2003 and 2013, Wen Jiabao served as vice-premier between 1998 and 2002. Wen, who was born in 1942, spent 14 years working in Gansu province’s geological bureau before being promoted in 1982 to vice-minister of geology and mineral resources. Wen graduated from the Beijing Institute of Geology in 1968 and has a master’s degree in geology. He was a member of the Politburo Standing Committee between 2002 and 2012.

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Talking Points

Our editors will be looking ahead today to these developing stories ...

Premier Wen Jiabao puts suggestions on how to deepen economic co-operation and political trust between Asian and European countries to the 9th Asia-Europe summit in Vientiane, Laos, which takes place today and tomorrow. This year marks the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), as the summit is officially known. The theme for the summit is "Friends for peace, partners for prosperity".

University bid to build much faster Wi-fi

A research team gives details of a City University electronic engineering department project to develop a wireless data transceiver system 50 times faster than Wi-fi. The government has provided HK$20 million for the project, which aims to produce a system with a data transmission rate of seven gigabytes per second.

Britons aim for a great impression

Some of Britain's top designers, businesspeople and experts in various fields are on hand to share their experience as "Britain - Great Week of Creativity 2012" kicks off at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. They include fashion designer Anya Hindmarch, the chairman of the Business Ambassadors' Group of UK Trade and Investment, Lord Jonathan Marland, and the head of the London Design Festival, Sir John Sorrell. The event, to promote Britain as a place to live, work, study, invest and do business, was co-organised by the British consulate.

Computer technician on trial over Vatican leaks

A Vatican computer technician goes on trial charged with helping the pope's former butler steal papers, in a case that could expose other whistle-blowers within the secretive Holy See. Claudio Sciarpelletti's trial follows the conviction of ex-butler Paolo Gabriele, who was jailed for 18 months last month after he admitted leaking papers alleging corruption and Machiavellian politics in the Vatican. The 48-year-old technician was arrested on May 25 as the investigation into the leaks unfolded but was released the next day. He is accused of aiding and abetting Gabriele. When the scandal first broke in March, there was much speculation over whether Gabriele could have orchestrated such a large operation alone - and some suspected a bid by power-hungry cardinals to shake up the Vatican hierarchy.

US soldier in court over Afghan massacre

A US soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan villagers faces court for the first time since the March massacre, in a pre-trial hearing to decide if he should face a full court martial. Staff Sergeant Robert Bales is expected to attend throughout the November 5-16 hearing at Fort Lewis-McChord in the western state of Washington. Bales, 39, is accused of leaving his base in the Panjwayi district of Kandahar province on March 11 to commit the killings. The victims included nine children. He allegedly set several of the bodies on fire.